Q&A for How to Grow Apricots

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Why do I have to wait 3-4 years to get my first apricot?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

After planting, your tree needs to develop an expansive root system before it can put energy into producing fruit. Also the tree you planted is likely a young tree that needs time to mature. Trees are long lived plants that take time to fully mature and reproduce, much like other species.

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Question

Why do apricot trees die after harvest?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

They actually go dormant, they don’t die. All deciduous trees have a period of dormancy during the year. In North America, deciduous trees lose their leaves in fall and go dormant during the winter. The fruit harvest is in later summer and fall so this is a normal part of the tree's life cycle. Fruiting takes a lot of energy out of a tree so it may lose its leaves before other trees because of that.

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Question

Will apricots ripen if picked when fruit is just pale orange?

Community Answer

Avoid picking your apricots too early. If they are pale, they will most likely not ripen and will rot if picked. Depending on the variety of apricot tree, fully ripe apricots are typically a rich orange color.

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Question

My tree drops a lot of apricots before they ripen. What causes this?

Community Answer

Don't worry, this is a very common occurrence. It is most commonly caused by the production of too many flowers. Some of the fruit will drop as there is not enough space on the branches for all of it. Small, premature apricots will drop, while the remaining buds are likely to bloom into ripened fruits.

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Question

Why is my tree not bearing fruit?

Community Answer

You may need to hand-pollinate the tree. Also, as the article says, sometimes it can take a few years for the tree to start bearing fruit.

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Question

How far apart should I plant them?

Community Answer

For the best results, apricots should be planted in a site of full sun. Standard sized trees should be planted approximately 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) apart. Genetic dwarf varieties may be planted 1.75 meters (5.74 feet) apart.

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Question

Do i need two trees in order to cross pollinate?

Community Answer

To cross pollinate, you will need two trees that are different varieties of the same fruit species. Two trees of the same variety will not cross pollinate.

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Question

I have tiny white worms in my apricots. What should I do?

Community Answer

Fruit flies sting and release eggs into the fruits. I suggest you wrap fruits with transparent protective bags. It happened to my watermelons, cantaloupes, and even peppers. Throw infected fruit away, do not compost it.

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Question

I am starting trees from seeds, and they are getting tall enough that the trunk is starting to bend. Should I trim them?

Community Answer

No, let them grow 6' tall before pruning. Early pruning will harm the tree.

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Question

For several years my tree bore a lot of fruit. In recent years, it's down to 10-12 apricots; this year only 2 apricots. The tree looks healthy, but there is no fruit. What should I do?

Community Answer

You have two options: hire an arborist or rip it out and re-plant.

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